Dr Wee (left) addressing guests with a speech at the Aidilfitri gathering. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
LEADERS of the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency and Yong Peng state constituency joined hands to host a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house.
Held in Taman Kota, Yong Peng, Johor, the event drew a strong crowd that reflected the unity among the town’s multiracial community.
Guests were served local delights such as nasi briyani, roti canai and mee goreng.
They were also entertained by the Batu Pahat Southern Volunteers, who performed traditional dances like the zapin.
Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong thanked the locals for their overwhelming response in attending the event.
The MCA president also took the opportunity to point out the close working relationship he shares with Yong Peng assemblyman Ling Tian Soon and Semarang assemblyman Datuk Samsolbari Jamali.
Yong Peng and Semarang are the two state seats under the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.
Dr Wee credited this partnership for ensuring much needed development to the area.
“I remember when I first contested in Ayer Hitam in 2004.
“There were no banks then. But now, there are many financial institutions that have opened up in Yong Peng town.
“Road conditions, especially along the FT050 federal road (Jalan Batu Pahat-Ayer Hitam-Kluang), were also bad and there were many accidents.
“After I voiced out the matter many times at the Dewan Rakyat, works to widen the road began,” Dr Wee said in his speech during the open house.
Dr Wee added that the wellbeing of Ayer Hitam residents was his and the assemblymen’s main priority.
He said some RM1.5mil was allocated to build a new market in Yong Peng after the town’s old market was destroyed in a fire three years ago.
Dr Wee also praised Ling’s commitment as an elected representative as well as a state executive councillor.
“Ling returns daily to his constituency, where he visits coffeeshops as early as 6am to meet people and find out how he can help them.
“This is our responsibility and we will work harder to ensure the people in Ayer Hitam can have a better life,” he said.
Event guest Zainuddin Mohiddin, 57, observed that many developments had taken place in the area over the past few years.
“Dr Wee and Ling always help people here, regardless of their faith or race.
“Dr Wee has never failed to provide allocations to upgrade mosques and surau in Ayer Hitam since he became our elected representative,” said Zainuddin.
Housewife Lim Siew Lan, 54, said she and her family had always attended events organised by the Ayer Hitam parliamentary office.
“Events such as this are where we can meet our friends who live in other housing areas.
“We can also meet our representatives and voice out issues that we need their help with,” said Lim.
Yong Peng District councillor M. Gunalan, 47, said Yong Peng has grown into a major tourist spot in Johor.
“Many people, including foreign tourists, visit the Fortune Dragon in Che Ann Kor temple here. This has brought good business to locals,” he said.
“As visitor numbers have increased, Ling has suggested that Yong Peng be developed into a smart city where our traffic light system will be digitalised and more closed circuit television cameras will be installed.”
